Having not had the best of starts to Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18, Kerala Blasters FC made a change by appointing David James as their head coach. As CK Vineeth testifies, James has brought a renewed energy into the side, and it can be seen on the pitch. Apart from speaking about James in an interview with indiansuperleague.com, Vineeth also answered some candid questions ahead of the Blasters’ clash against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Here are the excerpts.

What’s it like working under David James?

He totally changed our mentality. When I was with the earlier coach, it was always too slow in training, and not what I expected. But, when James came in, everything was so fresh and so energetic, and I think that totally changed our mentality.

People say No. 13 is quite unlucky. What do you say about that?

Let them change their thoughts, that is the only thing I can say.

If you have to describe the colour yellow to a blind person, how would you describe it?

I will ask him to come for a match in our home ground, and I think he will learn what the colour yellow means to Kerala people.

Who was your footballing hero growing up?

I.M. Vijayan. I used to have a picture of him scoring a scissor goal in Calicut I think. That was one of the front pages in a Malayalam daily newspaper. I cut that out, and it was in my room for a long time. He was my hero.

Do you have a message for the future of Indian football?

Work hard. Football is growing right now, so just enjoy the game and work hard. You will reach where you want to.